With their voluminous blooms and lush foliage, hydrangeas make a bold statement in any garden. But surrounding them with the right companion plants can take your hydrangea display from great to extraordinary!
The key is to choose companion plants that complement hydrangeas visually while having similar growing requirements. Here are 15 of our favorite hydrangea pairings to try in your garden:
1. Astilbe
The feathery plumes of astilbe create nice textural contrast against the full, rounded hydrangea blooms. Astilbe varieties like ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ with dark purple foliage and pink blooms pop against the pastels of many hydrangeas. Both plants thrive in moist, partly shaded sites.
2. Azalea
Azaleas are ideal flowering shrubs to combine with hydrangeas sharing an appreciation for rich acidic, humus-rich soil and partial shade. Plant an evergreen azalea like Perfecto Mundo® Double Pink nearby for a coordinated display of colorful spring blooms.
3. Begonia
For lots of color all summer long, plant begonias like Surefire® Rose around the base of hydrangeas Their red or pink blooms and deep green foliage provide a nice contrast. Begonias flourish in shaded gardens with ample moisture and good drainage.
4. Blue Fescue
Ornamental grasses like ‘Blue Whiskers’ blue fescue make an excellent textural contrast to the bold, rounded form of hydrangeas. Their spiky foliage and movement balances the fullness and static form of hydrangea flowers.
5. Boxwood
Use compact boxwoods like Sprinter® as low hedging in front of taller hydrangeas. The glossy evergreen leaves offer great structure, while allowing the colorful hydrangea blooms to take center stage. Boxwoods thrive in part sun and moist, well-drained soil.
6. Coral Bells
Also known as heuchera, coral bells come in a diverse range of leaf colors like chartreuse, burgundy, and silver that brightly complement colorful hydrangea blooms. Varieties like Dolce® ‘Wildberry’ have reddish-purple leaves that intensify hydrangea colors.
7. Cranesbill Geranium
The delicate pink or purple blooms of geraniums like Rozanne contrast beautifully with the larger, fuller hydrangea flowers. Cranesbill geraniums make excellent hydrangea companions, spreading nicely as a low growing groundcover in part shade.
8. Daylily
Choose daylily varieties like Rainbow Rhythm® ‘Orange Smoothie’ that flower at the same time as your hydrangeas. The mix of colorful blooms at varying heights creates gorgeous layers. Both plants thrive in humus-rich, moist soils.
9. Hosta
Hostas are ideal companion plants, creating vibrant contrasts in texture, shape, and color. Use varieties with blue-green, yellow, or variegated foliage to complement hydrangea blooms. Hostas and hydrangeas share preferences for shade and moist soils.
10. Lady’s Mantle
Lady’s mantle has scalloped, pleated foliage that provides great textural contrast and shimmering effect against hydrangeas. The airy chartreuse flowers that appear in early summer also complement colorful hydrangea blooms beautifully in part shade gardens.
11. Ligularia
Ligularia, also known as goldenray, boasts dramatic, bold foliage that makes a real statement alongside hydrangeas. The large rounded leaves have serrated edges and dramatic veining. Ligularia thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil and partial shade.
12. Mint
Plant mint varieties like ginger mint around the edges of your hydrangea garden for a lovely accent. Mint spreads vigorously, so planting in containers near hydrangeas helps control its growth. Crushed mint leaves also emit a pleasant scent.
13. Fern
Ferns like Japanese painted fern offer delicate lacier foliage that contrasts beautifully with the bold, showy blooms of hydrangeas. Their shared preference for rich, moist soil and partial shade make them ideal companions. Keep soil moist.
14. Hakone Grass
For lightweight movement and grace, add hakone grass nearby. ‘All Gold’ has golden blades that sway gently, playing off of hydrangea’s sturdy blooms. It thrives in moist soil and partial sun, spreading slowly to form clumps.
15. Tiarella
Also called foamflower, tiarella like Candy Striper forms a tidy clump of foliage patterned in pink, burgundy, and green. Its short spikes of starry white flowers in spring complement hydrangea blooms. Does well in shade gardens.
Pairing hydrangeas with plants that have contrasting forms, foliage colors, and textures creates captivating garden displays. Select varieties suited to part shade that appreciate the same growing conditions. With the right companions, your hydrangeas will truly shine!
How to grow hydrangeas
Here’s everything you need to know to get your plant growing, from how much water to give it and how much sun it needs.
- Soil: Average, well-drained soils. A 2-3″ layer of shredded bark mulch is highly recommended.
- Light: Does best in full sun (6 hours) to part sun (4 to 6 hours). Some hydrangeas do well in filtered sunlight or some shade (less than 4 hours of sun). Almost all types of hydrangeas do best in morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in warmer places.
- Water: Hydrangeas need average to high amounts of water, and once they’re established, they don’t need much more. Soils should never be dry or wet for the best growth.
- Fertilizing: Little required. Apply a granular rose fertilizer in early spring if desired.
- Winterizing: Hydrangeas can handle cold weather and only need a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch to keep the soil moist and protect the roots from damage caused by the cold.
- Fixing things Your hydrangea will bloom on new wood (panicle) if it does. It can be cut back in the spring and still flower. We suggest cutting it back in early spring by a third of its length. As long as your hydrangea grows on old wood like bigleaf, oakleaf, mountain, It’s best not to prune or trim them, but you can remove some branches to give them a nice shape and silhouette if you want to.
What Would You like to Learn About Today?
Hydrangeas are a statement shrub adored by gardeners across the globe. They are adored for their extreme versatility, with giant flower heads and ever-changing color displays that look great in nearly any garden. When paired with other shrubs, perennials, and grasses, hydrangeas can provide the ultimate focal point for building a garden oasis!
We’ll talk about our favorite plants that grow well with hydrangeas, whether you’re gardening in the sun or trying to make a shaded area look better.
COMPANION PLANTS for YOUR HYDRANGEA
FAQ
What grows well next to hydrangeas?
What not to plant with hydrangeas?
What to put around hydrangeas?
What pairs well with a hydrangeas bouquet?
How do I choose a Hydrangea plant companion?
When you are considering hydrangea plant companions, look for plants that are similar to hydrangea and those that are different. You can draw focus to your hydrangea’s features either by repeating them or contrasting them in companion plants.
What bushes go with hydrangeas?
Some great choices for bushes that complement hydrangeas are boxwood, azaleas, and rhododendrons. All three create stunning displays growing next to hydrangeas. A few other great options include hosta, coral bells, ornamental grasses, roses, and Japanese forest grass Can You Plant Hydrangeas With Other Flowers?
Do Roses make a good companion plant for hydrangeas?
Yes, roses make a great companion plant for hydrangeas. Both roses and hydrangeas are known for their beautiful flowers, making them a perfect pairing in the garden. One thing to keep in mind is that both require different care and maintenance. Roses need more sunlight and specific pruning techniques compared to hydrangeas.
Can I plant other flowering plants near my hydrangeas?
Yes, you can plant other flowering plants near your hydrangeas. Some great options include white hydrangea, blue hydrangea, and panicle hydrangea. However, it’s important to consider factors such as sunlight, soil conditions, and moisture requirements when choosing companion plants.
